Photo by NFL via Getty Images
Well, that all changed abruptly. What we knew about 49ers former VP of player personnel Martin Mayhew on Wednesday was that he’d be departing for Washington, D.C. What was not clear, though, was exactly what his role would be.
Initially, it was reported that Marty Hurney would take over as general manager of the organization and Mayhew would take a high-ranking role with a title to be determined.
#49ers VP of Player Personnel Martin Mayhew is headed to the Washington Football Team as a high-ranking executive with a title to be determined, source said. He’ll work with coach Ron Rivera and Marty Hurney as WFT restructures its organization.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 20, 2021
Now, that’s changed. Per ESPN’s John Keim, Mayhew will take over as general manager, not Hurney. Rapoport confirmed as much after Keim’s report, stating that Hurney would take on a “high-ranking role” in the front office.
Per source: Martin mayhew will be the new GM in Washington. …not sure yet about Marty Hurney or his potential role but Mayhew will be the GM.
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 22, 2021
What this likely means is good news for the 49ers. It’s not confirmed yet, but the NFL’s new amendment to the Rooney Rule would award the 49ers’ a compensatory third-round draft pick in 2023, in addition to the pair in 2021 and 2022 from Robert Saleh’s departure to the New York Jets. The rule states that teams will receive draft compensation if a minority front office member leaves to take a position in another team as the “Primary Football Executive.”
With Hurney’s title and role still to be worked out, it’s not set in stone that the 49ers will get that 2023 compensatory third-rounder, but the title of general manager tends to imply that “Primary Executive” role.